Today's Teamster News 03.20.12

As GOP Primaries Numb Your Brain, Congress is Up to More Tricks  Economic Populist   ...the last thing we need is yet another Wall Street gambling casino scam...
Mahlon Mitchell to run for lieutenant governor  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel   ...Firefighter and union leader Mahlon Mitchell said he'll run against Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch in a likely recall election...
Tea Party Stands With Organized Labor On Georgia Anti-Picketing Law  Huffington Post   ...This is not a right or left issue, it is a right or wrong issue. We may not agree with the all of the politics listed in the scenarios above, but we will defend their right to speak and protest, because this is America. If we destroy the First Amendment, we cease to be a free nation...
Romney Admits GOP Education Policy is Intended to Kill Unions  crooks and liars   ...Those federal teachers unions have too much power, in some cases, they overwhelm the states, they overwhelm the local school districts. We have got to put the kids first and put these teacher's unions behind...
Unemployed To Lose Benefits In Several States  Huffington Post   ...The federal Extended Benefits program, which in states with high-unemployment rates grants claimants out of work for a long period of time a final 13 to 20 weeks of benefits, will be phased out on April 7 in Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin, according to an analysis by the National Employment Law Project...
Teamsters Local 2011 Mourns Death of Florida Corrections Officer  Teamsters Local 2011   ...Teamsters Local 2011 is mourning the death of Sgt. Ruben Thomas, who was stabbed to death by an inmate at the Columbia Correctional Institution Annex on Sunday...

Teamster organizing victory: A tough union for tough times



Florida Department of Corrections workers.

We have more details about our 20,000 new Teamster brothers and sisters -- correctiona, probation and parole officers -- with the Florida Department of Corrections. 

The vote for Teamsters Local 2011 was a decisive win over the Police Benevolent Association and the International Union of Police Associations. Teamsters General President Hoffa called it "a great day for Teamsters and FDOC officers."

FDOC officers have shown that in tough times, they want a tough union to represent them. On behalf of the 1.4 million Teamster members, I congratulate these officers for joining the growing movement of public service workers nationwide seeking Teamster power.

One of the most active organizers was Glynn Reeder, a sergeant with the Florida State Prison in Raiford. He said the Teamsters showed how they could make positive change when they work together.

Now that we’ve won the election, we need to get everyone to become an active member of our new union so FDOC officers can change our destiny.

The FDOC officers will belong to the newly chartered Local 2011 in Tampa, which will represent only them. Said Ken Wood, the acting president (and International vice president):

These officers go to work every day to keep our communities safe and they deserve the best representation, which Local 2011 will provide.

Becky Pastor, a probation and parole officer, is energized by the Teamster victory.

I’m very excited that all of us came together—probation, parole and correctional officers—to unite for a better future with the Teamsters. We’ve learned that we are the union and it’s up to us to make the change we need. 

Read more here.

And again, welcome!!

FDOC Teamsters (video)

There are 20,000 Florida Department of Corrections probation, parole and correctional officers who are voting in their Teamster election this month. Ballots were mailed today and will be counted November 16. Check out this great video of FDOC officers and Teamster correctional officers around the country.